Trials of Mastery: Azar Torsin

[Vollen Shai]

The Trials of Mastery are an ancient tradition of the Jedi Order, used at various times throughout history. The betrayals of the Hundred Years Darkness and the Rise of the First Sith have pushed the Jedi into action, and the Trials are once again returned to their place of sacred importance in the Order. Jedi Knights face great challenges every day, and when they believed they are ready, they must stand and be judged harshly by their would-be peers, ensuring that only the greatest Knights are entrusted with the title of Master.


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The windswept Council chambers within Tython's waterbound temple were becoming a second home for him it seemed, though Vollen would never complain with having to use them. Returning here meant seeing another Jedi place their names forward to becomes leaders among them. It was heartening so many did so. Failure did not mean they necessarily lacked any valiance, so many great and honoured Jedi would never receive the title and there was nothing wrong with that, their names still lived on in the halls of their brothers and sisters here in the Order. Sometimes, even now, he still wondered what he had done to deserve the rank himself.

But such times were mant years ago now, and so much had changed. Still though, it was a title to live up to, and he could only pray to the force that he continued to do so.

With his fellow Mastets by his side, he could sense the approach of their latest applicant, Knight Azar Torsin. A long time member of the Order, coming now later than many before them. Though many great masters had done the same. Vollen would be interested to see what the man would be able to teach him.

As Torsin entered the room, Vollen rose from his chair, and bid Azar to the windows that encompassed the room, looking directly out over the vast expanse of the sea, restless and sublime,

"Often times I will look out upon the ocean as a means to reflect. Somewhere to lose my conscious self and see the world more clearly" Vollen spoke softly, as if confessing, deep breaths and pauses. To this day the waters held a unique draw, their vastness reminding him of the space he grew up in in. As they spoke the sun was comnig down, casting shadows across the water that rippled and shook with the waves,

"Tell me then, Azar. What do you see, when you look out across the waves now? What do you feel? What does it remind you of?" he said, staring off into the waves, reaching out with the force to listen in on the mans reply.

Spoiler: OOC

@Phoenix @Loco @Zigara @Vosrik @Korvo
The trial begins, I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone has to say :)

 

[Azar Torsin]

Azar had been preparing for this day for a very long time. For many years he'd done little to set his sights on the title "Jedi Master." He'd been content to fight his own war, work among the people, and remain in near-isolation. Perhaps it was the genetics or his species, or maybe something else, but that time had come to an end. He'd learned and seen things over his years that would baffle the average person, and in a way it all led up to this moment. Whether or not the Council of Mastery saw fit to advance him, his life wouldn't be the same.

Perhaps he was supposed to be dressed up for such an occasion, but that simply didn't fit Azar. Not because he couldn't act professionally, but because if he was to be promoted, he would be promoted because of who he was and what he stood for. There was no point in playing games or hiding. Instead, he wore his armor - albeit spotless and perfectly repaired - with the medallion that always hung around his neck and his saber clipped to the rear of his belt.

Looking around the room, the Knight knew each and every one of those here. Some he had fought side by side with, and others, he knew only by reputation, such as the one who addressed him first. He gave a customary and respectful bow to Councilor Vollen Shai as he stepped forward, peering out the window at the waves beyond. It had the remarkable ability to relax almost immediately, and if Azar hadn't been in the hot seat, perhaps he would have stared for several minutes more.

But he wouldn't waste the Council's time with daydreaming. It's serene, he said after a moment. Staring at it could almost make one forget there's a war going on. But perhaps that's for the best. The mind can't be under the stress of war all the time, he said. It was the perfect place for a member of the Order to re-center themselves in the Force before entering back into the fray. Azar may not have spent much time on Tython, but he could certainly see its appeal and draw. @Loco @Zigara @Vosrik @Korvo @Nightfall096

 

[Austin Wolfe]

It had only been recently that Austin Wolfe heard of the Jedi who stood before them — primarily in his work with the Grandmaster on Prakith, where Austin had also been assigned to rid the former Exile temple of the abominations that plagued it. Though the two Jedi had never officially met, now was as good a time as ever. The Master smiled cordially and nodded towards Azar as he entered before them all.

It seemed now that keeping the windows of the Council chamber open was a well-liked tradition. The sound of gulls squawking and waves crashing against the rocks could be heard as the crisp salty air drifted through the room. Austin remained silent as Councillor Vollen Shai asked the first question, to which Azar responded. The doctor's face became solemn as the Trial proceeded, much like the same expression he commonly used when telling patients of a permanent injury or untreatable disease. Austin was content to observe for a moment, both on the physical and mental plane.

"To you, what does it mean to be a Jedi?" he queried, not changing his neutral, stern expression. "I am not looking for a textbook answer — your own words are far more insightful." As Azar would reply, Austin would listen carefully and thoughtfully.

@Phoenix @Zigara @Loco @Korvo​

 

[Azar Torsin]

Azar turned his attention to the next individual, Master Wolfe, as he spoke. There was - as one would expect - no indication of how his answer had gone over, but he shouldn't have been surprised by that at all. They were professionals, and they had exceptional game faces.

To be a Jedi is to hold to the Jedi code and the Nine Tenants, he said. It was his honest opinion, but he wondered if it didn't sound too "textbook," so he decided it was likely better to expand on precisely what he meant than to simply drop the statement and leave. Even so, he was a man of few words and he wasn't going to stand here and wax philosophical endlessly until he put them all to sleep.

I could be a follower of the Light and not be a Jedi, I could protect people and not be a Jedi, or I could devote my life to serving and helping others and not be a Jedi, he said. An independent Force user, a CSF guard, or a physician could accomplish any of those things and would never be Jedi. What defines a Jedi is common beliefs, and those things I just listed are just byproducts of those beliefs. he stated. If he looked at another Jedi, he already knew what they believed in and stood for because it was at the core of what it was to be a Jedi. @Loco @Zigara @Vosrik @Korvo @Nightfall096

 

[Vollen Shai]

"If those beliefs are the Jedi, what then do you think is the greatest weakness of the Jedi? of the Code?" Vollen spoke up as Knight Torsin finished his reply, heading back to his seat while he spoke, looking to see more into this. Though his voice was more pleasant than not, he gave no ground in showing any response to the mans resplies so far,

"Do you consider yourself to embody this weakness also?" he offered further, one final thought on which to conclude the question. Vollen leant forward with interest, hands clasped in front of his mouth as he sat ready, curious for the mans response to his follow up.

Reaching into the force, he breathed deep, scanning the man not only visually but through that energy that bound them together, keeping track of the mans presence within it. The Trials tested every element of an applicant, such reaching out was only another way to understand the one who stood before them. He was ready for the mans response.


@Phoenix @Loco @Zigara @Vosrik @Korvo

 

[Azar Torsin]

Azar turned his attention back to Master Shai as he spoke up with a follow up question to what Azar had said. It was an intriguing question, and one that could cause - no, would cause - discomfort and unrest no matter what his answer was. To answer it was to criticize the Jedi themselves. Azar paused a moment, peering out the window at the ocean and the birds floating on the breeze. He was perfectly fine taking a moment to gather his thoughts. He wasn't one to impulsively or brashly jump into things.

Those two aren't one and the same, he finally said after a moment, meaning the greatest weakness of the Jedi and the greatest weakness of the code. To be a Jedi is to follow the code, yes, but the greatest weakness of the Jedi isn't in the code, it's in how it's enforced and taught, he said.

By the code, no emotion is inherently wrong, yet the tenants bar the exploration of romantic feelings - a natural part of many. Many don't know how to deal with them when they arise, he said. And how many have fallen because they didn't know how to deal with those things? he asked, letting the question resound for a few moments. He was shining a spotlight on what was, without a doubt, one of the greatest failings and disservices the Jedi had done to their members. Two of the most powerful Sith Lords in the galaxy had fallen for love and murdered hundreds as a result. This didn't need to be said, it would undoubtedly resound in the minds of each of the Masters in the room. The Order's greatest weakness is not preparing its members for those things except to tell them to "train themselves to let go of whatever they fear to lose."

Perhaps the statements alone would be considered too radical, and undoubtedly needed to be handled with incredible caution, yet to merely bury one's head in the sand was simply not viable. As for myself, no, I've never had a romantic relationship with another, but just because it's not my struggle doesn't mean its not another's, he said. It was an uncomfortable topic, but one that he wasn't going to shy away from. @Loco @Zigara @Vosrik @Korvo @Nightfall096

 

[Telunaris]

Telunaris listened closely at hand as the other masters took the initiative in inquiring of the Jedi before them. He had heard of this Jedi Knight before, Azar Torsin. A companion of Grand Master Wyck, valiant in his duty—none could deny it—but Telunaris hadn't the pleasure of knowing the man by any other means than reputation. And knowing a man personally, the nuance and specifics of what made them who they are, sometimes made all the difference, for good or for ill.

"Sometimes the struggles of others can teach us as well as anything we might experience on our own. Our sense of duty and responsibility is not beyond becoming twisted, and what were once pure ideals can transform into something unrecognizable. That pendant you wear around your neck... as I understand it, this is one such reminder for you."

It was not unheard of for some Jedi to carry symbols around themselves to keep them honest, force them to remember who they are and what they stand for if their own demons bubble to the surface... or perhaps as a preventative measure for 'when'—not 'if'—they feel such would come to pass.

"You were there when it happened, but could you understand why? Tell me, not how_did Tareth fall, but why_did he fall? And how could he have prevented it?"

@Loco @Zigara @Vosrik @Nightfall096 @Phoenix

 

[Azar Torsin]

No matter how many years had passed, what happened between Azar and Tareth was always a painful memory, and Azar wasn't going to hide it. The memory pained him, but it was a memory he kept close to his heart - literally given the medallion around his neck.

It is, he nodded in confirmation of Telunaris asking if it was a reminder of the paths and dangers that faced him. The most terrifying thing about all that had happened between he and Tareth wasn't that he had been forced to kill his best friend, it was that it easily could have not killed them. One small, bad misstep and he could have easily ended up just like Tareth. It was the thing that scared him the most, and it was precisely why he wore the medallion around his neck..

The question that Telunaris asked him was something he had spent many years thinking about and reminding himself of. He fell because he lost sight of his means. We Jedi fight for a goal that is unattainable, he stated bluntly. The world would never be fully just or fully at peace, but they kept fighting for it anyway. That makes the means of accomplishing that goal all the more important. He lost sight of that, he said, knowing full well that he had nearly done the same. It wasn't a good memory and it was the closest he'd ever come to the Dark Side. Any Jedi who lived long enough would eventually face such dangers, but that was precisely why he kept his own reminder. @Loco @Zigara @Vosrik @Korvo @Nightfall096

 

[Bruce Guleya]

"Recite to me the code, and explain line by line their meaning to you."

@Phoenix @Nightfall096 @Vosrik @Korvo @Loco

 

[Azar Torsin]

Ah, Master Guleya. Azar had worked alongside him before, but he'd been all but silent thus far. Azar's eyes turned toward him after a moment. The Code was something that any good Jedi could quote. It was at the heart and core of who the Jedi were, as Azar had already stated he believed.

Emotion, yet peace, he said first, starting where the code began. No matter how few of words he may normally choose, there was no way to avoid expanding more thoroughly on a question like this. No matter what natural emotions one has, you must maintain balance. Inner peace prevents being swayed by your emotions in the choices you make, he said. It was one part of the things that had caused Tareth to fall.

Ignorance, yet knowledge, he stated next. Being a Jedi is about constantly learning. Not one of us - not even the Grandmaster - is omniscient, but we should never be content in our ignorance. We are always learning and always growing, he said. The life of a Jedi was perpetual study. Perhaps more than most, Azar's years gave him a wider knowledge base to work from, but even he had so much more he could learn.

Passion, yet serenity, he went on. This is where Tareth fell, he said, looking back to Master Telunaris once more. He was consumed with destroying the Exiles, but he lost sight of what he was becoming. Like emotions, a Jedi can't become so consumed by passions that he or she loses perspective, he said.

Chaos, yet harmony: The galaxy is riddled with terrible events and hardships, but each of those is interconnected. What we see as Chaos, the Force uses for a purpose, he said. It was perhaps the easiest piece for him to internalize of the entire Code. He'd seen too many things that seemed terrible work out for something else better at a later time. Such faith sometimes came with years and sometimes with hardship.

Death, yet the Force, he said final, arriving at the final piece of the Code. With a century of war, this was something that every Jedi knew and it needed no explaining. There's a time appointed for us all to die, but that death feeds new life. It is the cycle of the Force, he said. It was one of the comforts a Jedi could rest in when he marched off to war, and it had calmed Azar's mind before many fights. @Loco @Zigara @Vosrik @Korvo @Nightfall096

 

[Fennex Zeerda]

Fennex nodded along as Azar gave his answers, the same neutral expression on his face the rest of the Council had. He'd heard young initiates spreading the rumour that Masters had special training sessions where they just sat around and stared at eachother, each trying to look more neutral and expressionless than the others. Fennex would neither confirm nor deny those rumours when asked.

"Knight Torsin," he finally spoke, "we've heard a lot so far about your understanding of the code, the tenants, the state of the order, and what we could do better- all presumably to demonstrate why you should be granted Mastery- so let's change tracks a bit..." Fen paused, his claws tapping rhythmically as he leaned forward in his seat and eyed the young Knight, "Give us a few reasons why we shouldn't grant you this honor."

@Phoenix @Zigara @Nightfall096 @Korvo @Vosrik

 

[Azar Torsin]

Ah, yes, the negative questions in any interview. As far as Azar knew, no one liked these questions, and he was among those people, but he also knew there was no avoiding it. He had made his mistakes and he had his own errors. Everyone did, and he was no exception.

I spent a great deal of my time away from the Order, fighting on my own. My pulse on the Order is not nearly as extensive as many other Knights or Masters. In recent months, I've returned to the mainstream and plunged myself back into the flow, but I have lost time to make up for, he said. There was no denying he had spent much of his life as a Knight away from the Order, which arguably made him less positioned to become a Master, but perhaps it also gave a fresh pair of eyes.

He paused a moment before broaching the topic that was arguably his greatest fault. It had already been brought up multiple times, and it was the strongest inditement against himself that he had. Whether in the past or not, I failed to save my best friend from the Dark Side. I waited too long to reach out to him, and I can't say that it wasn't entirely because I wasn't sure if he was right, he said. In a way, the statement was appalling, but it was also a comment about a Jedi Knight from twenty years ago. At the time, I had my doubts, he said.

He reached up and tapped the medallion around his neck. That's why I wear this. Because it always reminds me of the dangers of making excuses or allowing myself to slide down that path to the Dark Side, he said. He had come a long way since then, but he couldn't say that he'd never had moments of doubt or temptation. That was to be human, but to rise above those moments was what it meant to have Mastery. @Loco @Zigara @Vosrik @Korvo @Nightfall096

 

[Vollen Shai]

The trials were always fascinating scenarios, trying to come to understand the applicants before them, to see not only their answers, but their past, their future with the Order. So much to consider, and not even the wisest can know all ends. But they certainly had to try to.

As Azar responded to Master Fennex's question, Vollen breathed deeply, looking again out to sea as he considered the mans answer, keeping his face stoic as they all did, not revealing their thoughts just yet,

"Azar, the Council must now convene before rendering their judgement. If you wouldn't mind stepping outside, we'll call you back in shortly" he offered with a kind face as he turned back to the Knight, and watched him be escorted from the hall. It was time now for discussion, and the making of their final determination.

* * *
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Some time later the applicant was allowed back into the room, the council sitting as if nothing at all had taken place. Vollen gestured him to the centre, before clasping his hands and beginning to speak,

"Knight Torzin, this Council thanks you for coming before it. It is a sign of your renewed dedication to the Order. One to which we know will continue. Your understanding of our words, of the force and your role within it is to be respected. We might caution the role your medallion, of such lingering thoughts. Of course, all Jedi must remember the worries of the dark side, of falling to that place, to those feelings. But equally such things might serve to store those feelings for us, keep them close and present, instead of freeing us from it. Do not be afraid to let go" Vollen offered this final adivce with a smile. The Council hoped only for the best for Azar, hopefully such advice would be heeded,

"But, this does not stop us from bestowing upon you the title of Master, Azar Torsin. We hope that you will do the Order well in these dark days ahead" he added, finally allowing their decision to be known,

"May the Force be with you, Master Torsin. Go in peace"


@Phoenix @Loco @Zigara @Vosrik @Korvo